Compact, energy-efficient ultrasound imaging probes using cmut arrays with integrated electronics

Abstract

A CMUT on CMOS imaging chip is disclosed. The imaging chip can use direct connection, CMOS architecture to minimize external connections and minimize chip cross-section. The CMOS architecture can enable substantially the entire chip area to be utilized for element placement. The chip can utilize arbitrarily selected transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) element arrays to improve image quality, while reducing sampling time. The chip can comprise a plurality of dummy elements dispersed throughout the Tx and Rx elements to reduce cross-talk. The chip can utilize batch firing techniques to increase transmit power using sparse Tx arrays. The chip can comprise hexagonal Tx and or Rx subarrays for improved image quality with reduce sample sizes. The chip can utilize electrode geometry, bias voltage, and polarity to create phased and amplitude apodized arrays of Tx and Rx elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 485,414, entitled “Single Chip CMUT-on-CMOS Arrays for Forward-Looking Intravascular and Intracardiac Imaging,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 485,417, entitled “Hexagonal Ring Arrays for Forward-Looking Intravascular and Intracardiac Imaging,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 485,423, entitled “Donut Sparse CMUT arrays for Forward-Looking Volumetric Imaging Catheter Probes,” all of which were filed 12 May 2011. The entireties of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporate by reference as if set forth in its entirety below.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the present invention relate to ultrasound imaging probes, and particularly, to flexible, single chip, CMUT based ultrasound imaging probes using various monolithi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about improving ultrasound imaging by using a special chip that has a lot of tiny sensors called CMUTs. These sensors can help create better images faster, and they can be designed to reduce interference between them. This design can also use less power and make the imaging process more efficient.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, current commercial IVUS imaging systems offer only side-looking capabilities and cannot generate images of, for example, the volume in front of the catheter.

Current ultrasound array probes used for these purposes are rigid over several millimeters, limiting their maneuverability.

Similarly, for improved flexibility, among other things, the number of electrical connections connecting the probe to the back end imaging system should also be limited.

In other words, a larger number of cables make the catheter less flexible.

The number of external connections is also important, for example, because excessive external connections increase probe size, manufacturing cost, and complexity.

In addition, to enable the probe to enter small areas (e.g., blood vessels), for example, the frontal area of the probe must be limited.

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